The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), led by Secretary Raphael P. M. Lotilla, has expressed support for the development of the country’s first large-scale waste-to-energy (WTE) facility in New Clark City, Tarlac.
The P4-billion project forms part of the Marcos administration’s broader push to strengthen environmental protection, enhance energy security, expand clean energy use, and promote sustainable urban development nationwide.
A recent consultation brought together officials from DENR, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), the project consortium, and representatives from the academe to discuss the initiative and its environmental safeguards.
Modern waste solution
The planned facility will have a generating capacity of 12 megawatts (MW) and will process up to 600 metric tons of municipal solid waste per day, the BCDA said in a statement.
Primarily positioned as a modern waste management solution, the project aims to reduce landfill dependence by cutting waste volume by up to 80 to 90 percent through controlled thermal treatment.
The approach is designed to address long-term landfill scarcity while providing local government units with a structured and environmentally managed disposal system.
Using proven WTE technology with more than 70 years of global operational track record, the facility will generate recoverable outputs, including clean electricity for the Luzon grid.
The plant will be equipped with advanced air pollution control and flue gas treatment systems to ensure compliance with international environmental standards. Similar facilities operate in Japan, Sweden, Germany, China, and Singapore.
DENR emphasized that, subject to strict compliance with environmental safeguards, modern WTE systems can form part of a science-based and responsible solid waste management framework.
Jobs, long-term impact
BCDA President and CEO Joshua M. Bingcang said the project aligns with national priorities.
“This project directly contributes to the national agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. by strengthening environmental protection, supporting energy security, and introducing modern waste management systems. It demonstrates how infrastructure development can deliver long-term environmental and economic value for the country,” Bingcang said.
The project is expected to generate more than 300 jobs during its two-year construction phase and provide sustained employment over its projected 25-year operational lifespan.
Once operational, the WTE facility is expected to reinforce New Clark City’s position as a strategic growth center anchored on modern infrastructure and responsible environmental management. — Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
